HART TAKING AIM AT RACISM DISTRICT CALLING PARENTS, HOLDING TOWN MEETINGS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Responding to reports of racist harassment in local schools, the Hart High School District is taking several measures to address concerns and head off problems, using everything from telephones to town hall meetings.

Thursday night, parents of students in high schools and junior highs received an electronic call from Bob Lee, superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District, asking them to talk to their children and encourage tolerance of differences such as race, religion and sexual orientation.

``It's up to every student, parent and staff member to be sure that respect toward others is something we practice every day. We must be willing to open our hearts and minds to appreciate the diversity in our community - not just tolerate, but understand and appreciate our differences,'' he said, asking parents to set examples for their children.

Parents of a handful of African-American students, particularly at Valencia High School, have complained their children are being harassed by white students, and in some cases attacked off-campus.

``This issue came to the board in November,'' said Frank Ferry, assistant principal of Saugus High School and a Santa Clarita City Council member. ``And we know it's not going away unless we take a proactive stance. We are actively investigating allegations and addressing this as a community issue. It's not just one school.''

Nearly 100 people showed up Tuesday night for the district's ad hoc advisory committee on diversity at Rancho Pico Junior High School. A 13-member subcommittee task force, open to all students, parents and community members, will work on diversity issues and act as advisers to the governing board and district staff.

In the last 10 years, enrollment in district schools has doubled, from 11,622 in 1994 to 22,226 in 2004. The growth included shifts in the ethnic makeup of the student body. In 1994, three-quarters of the students were classified as white; in 2004, 61 percent of the student population was white, 25 percent was Hispanic and 14 percent were either black, Asian/Pacific Islanders, American Indian or Filipino.

What bothers Ferry is that the actions of a few are painting entire schools or groups of students in a bad light, he said. While he acknowledges that there are some problems on every campus, he says the majority of students are going to school and participating in activities without incident.

``I think it's important to look at who the students are choosing as their leaders,'' he continued. ``Look at the student body officers, the homecoming courts. Across the board we have a diverse group of students and these are the ones the kids support.''

The district also has called in assistance from the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations and the U.S. Department of Justice. Both agencies are developing programs that will focus on helping students increase their understanding of the issues. Parents are responding by forming groups such as People Supporting Diversity, which is sponsoring a town hall meeting with 5th District Supervisor Mike Antonovich on March 2 at Valencia High School.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com